Gunungkidul Boosts Geotourism for 2027 UNESCO Revalidation

RRI.CO.ID, Gunungkidul - Preparations for the 2027 revalidation of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) are bringing fresh momentum for travelers seeking to explore the natural beauty of Gunungkidul in the Yogyakarta Province. By upgrading information facilities at 11 geosites and two biosites and developing new educational tourism itineraries, the Gunungkidul Regency Administration is working to make the geotourism destination more visitor-friendly and informative.

Since it was first recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015, Gunungsewu Geopark has successfully undergone two periodic revalidation processes, in 2019 and 2023. Under UNESCO regulations, UGG status is evaluated every four years.

Head of Tourism Marketing and Cooperation at the Gunungkidul Tourism, Creative Economy, Youth and Sports Agency, Supriyanta, said preparations would begin with a pre-revalidation process this year. “UGG status was first awarded in 2015, followed by revalidation in 2019 and 2023. Next year will be the third revalidation assessment. It will be preceded by a pre-revalidation process this year,” said Supriyanta on Monday, September 14, 2026.

He explained that various notes submitted by the UNESCO assessment team during the 2023 revalidation had become the basis for evaluation and were now being followed up.

Supriyanta added that efforts to maintain the status were not solely the responsibility of Gunungkidul. This is because Gunungsewu Geopark stretches across three regencies, which are Gunungkidul in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Wonogiri in Central Java, and Pacitan in East Java.

Improvements are therefore being carried out through coordination among the regencies and provincial administrations. One of the ongoing initiatives is the refinement of the Gunungsewu Geopark Master Plan. In Gunungkidul, several information facilities have also been upgraded.

Last year, the local administration installed information boards and panels at 11 geosites and two biosites. Directional signs were also erected around the Welcome Monument at the Gunungkidul–Klaten border in Jentir Hamlet, Sambirejo Village, Ngawen Subdistrict. “We are also preparing itineraries and completing the documents required for the Geopark report,” said Supriyanta.

Meanwhile, Gunungkidul Regional Secretary, Sri Suhartanta, said the local administration was committed to maintaining the UNESCO Global Geopark designation. He said the results of the 2023 validation had identified several areas requiring improvement, including the boundaries of the area, visibility, infrastructure, and supporting facilities. Further strengthening is also needed in geotourism, sustainable development, partnerships, and networking.

“An important part of the follow-up is improving the capacity and understanding of geopark managers. With these various improvements, we hope the UGG status can be properly maintained,” said Sri. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)